Switzerland says ready to host Russia-Ukraine summit with 'immunity' offer to Putin

GENEVA

Switzerland is "more than ready" to host a peace summit between Russia and Ukraine and would grant Russian President Vladimir Putin "immunity" if he attends, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said Tuesday.

"I believe 200% in organizing this summit and we have been discussing this for a long time," Cassis said in a joint press briefing with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, in Bern, Keystone reported.

He added that he had already reminded Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on several occasions of Switzerland's willingness to organize the gathering.

Cassis expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the confidence they have shown in Switzerland's role, according to the report.

For his part, Tajani underlined Italy's continued support for convening such a summit, stressing that while Rome is open to hosting, it "supported" Geneva as the venue.